Ogun Assembly passes scavengers waste dealers bill

 •seeks Senate, IGP’s intervention on multiple checkpoints

The Ogun State House Assembly has passed a bill meant to regulate the activities of scavengers and waste dealers in the state with a view to promoting public order, environmental safety and peaceful co-existence and for related matters.

The passage of the bill followed the presentation of the House Committee Report on Environment by its chairman, Hon. Samsideen Lawal, moved for its adoption, seconded by the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye and supported by other members, through a voice vote at the plenary presided over by the Speaker Oludaisi Elemide.

The bill was later read and adopted clause by clause before the committee of the whole House, after which the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff moved the motion for the third reading, seconded by the minority leader and was supported by other lawmakers.

The Clerk/Head of Legislative Service, Mr. Sakiru Adebakin, therefore, read the bill for the third time before the lawmakers.

The Speaker, however, directed that the clean copy of the bill be forwarded to the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his assent.

In the same vein, the assembly has passed a resolution calling for the urgent intervention of the state government, the National Assembly and the Inspector General of Police on the need to address the alarming rates of multiple police checkpoints on border roads such as Owode-Idiroko road in Ipokia Local Government Area, and other parts of the state, to curb alleged cases of incessant extortion, bribery and harassment of the residents and commuters.

The passage of the resolution followed a debate on the motion moved by the sponsor and a member representing Ipokia/Idiroko state constituency, Hon. Adebisi Oyedele titled: ‘Urgent call for the reduction of multiple police checkpoints on Idiroko–Owode road in Ipokia Local Government Area.’

Opening debate on the motion leading to the passage of the resolution, Oyedele lamented the presence of over 52 police checkpoints on a 20-kilometre stretch road; describing the situation as unbearable, which had led to continued harassment of residents and commercial drivers, who recently embarked on a five-day strike that caused severe hardship for the people.

He urged the House to immediately address the matter through the intervention from the relevant authorities, including the state governor and the Inspector General of Police through the state Commissioner of Police to ensure immediate solution.

He added that the resolution be transmitted as a petition to the National Assembly, the Inspector-General of Police, and the National Security Adviser (NSA) for prompt intervention.

Other lawmakers, including the Deputy Speaker, Bolanle Lateefat Ajayi, Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye, Honourables Adegoke Adeyanju and Waliu Owode, supported the motion, stressing that the challenge of multiple police checkpoints affected commuters across several parts of the state.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, directed that copies of the resolution be forwarded to all concerned authorities, including the state governor, the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Inspector-General of Police and the NSA, among others for necessary action.

Meanwhile, the Assembly has observed a minute silence in honour of the late Olu of Ifo, Oba Samuel Oladipupo, who joined his ancestors on October 9, after 20 years on the throne.

The Assembly paid the honour to the deceased monarch shortly after members representing Ifo 1 and 2 state constituencies, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo and Folawewo Salami, respectively reported the demise of the traditional ruler during the plenary.

The duo described the late monarch as a father to all and a former chairman in the local government; praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.